My horse was hit by an arctic lorry today..

PonyFeet10

PonyFeet10

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Bad day today as title says..

Was riding my 24yo tb mare who is a saint in all traffic along with my friend and her horse who is nervous with big vehicles. We were riding two abreast as there were a few buses passing through and they were worrying him when they were passing.

So coming up to quite a tight corner we have an arctic sized lorry coming up behind us. There was no where for us to pull in and my friends horse started panicking as the lorry approached right up behind us.. I swung round and put my hand up to ask the lorry driver to stop and he looked at me and completely blanked me!

Started forcing his way through and my friends horse bolted (she managed to put him face first in a 10ft hedge that was just infront of us and her horse stayed in full view of lorry driver who didn't even try to slow down!!) and the lorry ended up hitting my horses bottom and hock as he cut us up to pull infront of us.

Then he drove off up the road :eek:! As my horse was on 4 legs and wasn't obviously lame I trotted after him to get his number plate. I'm guessing he saw me following him so he pulled over..

I asked him why he didn't stop and he had a blank look on his face.. Then I said he had hit my horse and he denied he had :eek::mad: until I turned her around and showed him her bottom and then he said he was sorry..

Took his number plate, lorry make/model etc then rang the police when I got back to the yard.

I also asked the car behind the lorry if they had seen him hit us and they said no as the lorry completely cornered us in..

Luckily both horses are ok, my mare had scuff marks across her bottom and paint on her hocks but I should imagine she's going to be sore tomorrow morning :(

We rang the vet and as she was herself and no obvious problems they said to see what she's like tomorrow and then ring if there's a problem.

Also went to the police station to give a statement about the accident and they were gobsmaked that he had forced his way through!!!

I can't believe some people... :mad::(

Oh and I was wearing hi-vis so he couldn't use that as an excuse!!!
 
What a ******* :mad:

People like that really get on my nerves, out of interest which police did you go to as I know someone who works for Gloucester police and if hears of people doing that he will be very harsh! Hopefully he finds out about it :)

Glad you and horses are okay though.
 
For fear of being banned I won't say what I really want to say about that lorry driver. There is no excuse for such dangerous actions on his behalf. Hope that your horse is okay tomorrow, what a traumatic incident for you, your friend and the horses.

Good for you for reporting him to the police, I hope they throw the book at him.
 
What an idiot!! Your poor horse. My 7yr old mare used to be solid on the roads but after a motorbike come flyin round a blind bend on wrong side of the road and so nearly hit her she is very nervous about any traffic passing by slightly faster than it should be so i now can only go out with a solid horse to put her on the inside. Its such a shame there are these idiots on the roads. Its takes them a few seconds to slow down and wait but they still wont do it.
 
Thats terrible! i am so glad you are all ok as it could have been so much worse!

I imagine you may have cleaned your mare up but i would advise getting photos of the paint on her and the scuff marks if they are still visible and hand a copy to the police as they need to take the matter seriously before the prat causes a fatel accident.

Hope your mare is ok tomorrow x
 
I would get the vet out regardless. You then have documented proof of the incident, and you will have incurred expense, so even if nothing happens in a criminal matter, you have ground for civil action. I wouldnt let this go. Could you imagine if he did it to a lesser rider! I hope you took pictures of the scuffs, paint, cuts etc.
 
so sorry, I can't imagine how upset you must be. I hate riding on roads - it doesn't matter how good your horse is in traffic, it just takes one inconsiderate or deliberately beligerent driver. So sorry - so lucky it wasn't worse!
 
so glad that you and your is ok..could of been alot worse
good on you being thinking ahead and getting details

hope your horse wont have any psychlogical damage after this awful experiance

plenty of arnica
 
How awful for you! Well done for your quick thinking - getting his reg etc. and going to the police. As someone said, try contacting the lorry company if you know it. Take photos of your horse and where you were. Most of all, hope the horses are ok.

You deserve a glass of wine!
 
OMG what a complete B****D

was there a name on the lorry? As if so I would also be reporting him to his employer!! and tell them you have passed it on to police too

Hope your horse is ok tomorrow x
 
Remember, this is a road traffic accident ,and you are entitled to claim against his insurance. Ask the police to get the details.
 
Goodness, whatever next!!! So glad neither of you was seriously hurt, the driver sounds like a maniac. Well done for getting the number plate and I hope the police pursue this matter aggressively.
 
Hey guys, thank you all for your messages!!

My horse was sound when we got home so I'm hoping she'll be ok.

Yep I got pics of her bottom and her hock just after he had hit her and I had gotten off to check she was ok. Not sure wether i should post them here or not?

Sadly I didn't get the name of the company but the police said they will be chasing up the registered owner of the lorry and then find out who was driving it today!

Koko - sadly it was the police station in Lansdown, Cheltenham. That would have been a massive help though lol!

My heart was going through my chest when she was hit, I felt her back legs buckle under her where he had hit her hock.. She didn't bolt mind and stood perfectly still next to it when I caught up with the lorry! I couldn't have asked for a braver mare!
 
I will probably see him on Friday and will mention it to him, but knowing him he might already know about it!

I hope it all gets sorted soon and she sounded so good for standing there!
 
oh my good god you poor things.. :( glad you are all ok though what an arse!!!!

Do hope the police take this matter seriously....I have had this happen to me before and the police were so very helpful and kept calling to check on my horse who had swollen hocks and hind legs too...so I know how you feel here...it's not nice at all...

I do hope you all recover well from this...
 
Just want to say a big 'well done' to you, for keeping your cool, chasing after the lorry driver and getting his details. It takes guts to do that when you've had a fright and are probably feeling quite shaky.

Do hope your mare's Ok in the morning. Well done again.
 
Oh my god! What an incredible, brave girl you have in your mare! I really hope she doesnt suffer any repercussions (either mental or physical) or YOU! That is bound to have knocked your nerve on the road a bit!! You poor thing!

I cant believe how awful drivers can be, it makes me so angry! Hope the police take action and you and your girl are ok x
 
PonyFeet10 said:
Bad day today as title says..

Was riding my 24yo tb mare who is a saint in all traffic along with my friend and her horse who is nervous with big vehicles. We were riding two abreast as there were a few buses passing through and they were worrying him when they were passing.

So coming up to quite a tight corner we have an arctic sized lorry coming up behind us. There was no where for us to pull in and my friends horse started panicking as the lorry approached right up behind us.. I swung round and put my hand up to ask the lorry driver to stop and he looked at me and completely blanked me!

Started forcing his way through and my friends horse bolted (she managed to put him face first in a 10ft hedge that was just infront of us and her horse stayed in full view of lorry driver who didn't even try to slow down!!) and the lorry ended up hitting my horses bottom and hock as he cut us up to pull infront of us.

Then he drove off up the road :eek:! As my horse was on 4 legs and wasn't obviously lame I trotted after him to get his number plate. I'm guessing he saw me following him so he pulled over..

I asked him why he didn't stop and he had a blank look on his face.. Then I said he had hit my horse and he denied he had :eek::mad: until I turned her around and showed him her bottom and then he said he was sorry..

Took his number plate, lorry make/model etc then rang the police when I got back to the yard.

I also asked the car behind the lorry if they had seen him hit us and they said no as the lorry completely cornered us in..

Luckily both horses are ok, my mare had scuff marks across her bottom and paint on her hocks but I should imagine she's going to be sore tomorrow morning :(

We rang the vet and as she was herself and no obvious problems they said to see what she's like tomorrow and then ring if there's a problem.

Also went to the police station to give a statement about the accident and they were gobsmaked that he had forced his way through!!!

I can't believe some people... :mad::(

Oh and I was wearing hi-vis so he couldn't use that as an excuse!!!
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Glad you are both seemingly ok. But...she might be hurt although it may not be obvious. Keep and eye out for any behavioural changes, reluctance to go forward or bucking. My horse had a shunt and although she seemed fine it was a while later we realised that she had been hurt. By the time we realised the problems were due to the collision it was too late to do anything re claiming. I wouldnt call the vet as an emergency but tbh if it clearly wasnt your fault and you could claim for the visit off the lorry drivers insurance i would be tempted to get her checked out in a day or so. But check with your own insurance company first for advice. (Personally I think if a car hits you up the bum then their insurance should pay for the check up!:))

Ooops sorry. That sounds like i wouldnt get her checked if the insurance wont pay! Sorry...I would get her checked over in a day or so whatever. Just because of my own experience.
 
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crikey, you are very very lucky that she isn't hurt, even a slight bump from something that big could have hurt her. i would definitely push this further, with the police and the lorry owners, since imho anyone as impatient and stupid as that should NOT be in charge of an artic. :( :( :(
really glad you're okay.
 
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